Boozhoo, Kwe Kwe and Warm Greetings

Semaa-Kwe ndishnikaaz, Mukwaa Doedem, Teme-Augama Anishinabe.

It is an honour to serve as Interim Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement. I carry this role with deep responsibility to our students, faculty, staff, Elders, community partners, and Nations whose lands we learn and work upon.

This portfolio is grounded in relationships. Our work must be guided by respect, reciprocity, and accountability. This work is not symbolic. It is about creating lasting institutional change that supports Indigenous peoples across the university.

Over the coming year, my focus centers on four interconnected priorities:

• Strategic Leadership: Strengthening governance, policy, and institutional strategies to advance reconciliation in concrete and accountable ways.
• Curriculum and Research: Advancing Indigenous perspectives and research across the university, supporting Indigenous faculty through initiatives such as the Mentorship Circle, and creating space for Indigenous knowledge systems and methodologies.
• Community Relations: Building relationships with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities grounded in trust, listening, understanding, and visible feedback.
• Recruitment and Support: Increasing Indigenous representation while ensuring meaningful support, mentorship, and pathways for leadership development.

Throughout this work, I remain committed to transformative change. We are called not only to respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, but to build an institution that reflects Indigenous strength, sovereignty, and resurgence.

I invite you to take up this work with me in a spirit of shared responsibility and care. When we act with intention and integrity, we create the conditions for Indigenous peoples to feel welcome, valued and fully engaged within Brock University.

Miigwech for being part of this journey,
Dr. Sheila Cote-Meek